Danger of U.S.-Singapore defense accord

Begi Hersutanto, Jakarta

On Aug. 17, 2004, Singapore and the United States started negotiations to establish a defense accord. Singapore Defense Minister Tony Tan confirmed this plan. He mentioned that the two countries were at the stage of negotiating the framework for strategic defense cooperation.

At the same time, Tan also made a statement to support the presence of the U.S. military wherever it operated in the world, including Singapore. Singapore believes that the presence of the U.S. military in Southeast Asia will enhance stability in the region.

Such a statement made by a high official of a state government, a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), seems to have been lost on most people, perhaps because of other current developments in the region. Singapore is apparently eager to tie itself to an external power while the countries in the region are working together to establish peace, stability and greater cooperation through stronger relationships.

The countries in the Southeast Asian region are now in the middle of a process of securing and stabilizing the region through deep cooperation and deep trust among each other as agreed in the Bali Concord II. One the purposes of the Bali Concord II was the establishment of the ASEAN Security Community whereby each member state agreed that they should all exclude the use of force and threats whenever any conflict among them occurs.

This arrangement itself does not eliminate the possibility of conflict among the member states, but when a serious dispute arises, the use of force, or threat of it, is not to be considered. This arrangement is an attempt to establish constructive ways for promoting peaceful settlements.

The policy of Singapore to formally tie itself with the U.S. in terms of defense has become a stumbling block for the ASEAN Security Community. Such an arrangement may create friction among ASEAN member states, because ASEAN member states agreed to tackle regional problems and challenges in the "ASEAN way".

In terms of security issues, Singapore has often indicated that it is rather reluctant to mingle and to work together with the neighboring countries in the region. In the case of securing the Strait of Malacca before the Coordinated Patrol arrangement was achieved, Singapore also indicated an intention to invite the United States to secure the vital waterway despite the reluctance of the two of the other littoral countries along the strait.

Perhaps, Singapore views cooperation with ASEAN member states as less than adequate to secure its national interests, especially in security matters.

However, to disregard the security cooperation agreement with countries in its own region and preferring to sign a defense accord with an external power does not answer the core problem either.

The potential threats faced in this region are categorized as non-traditional security issues such as piracy, trans-national crime and perhaps terrorism.

If Singapore is referring to those issues, having a strategic defense accord with the U.S. is not a good option. As part of the regional community, such an arrangement with the U.S. will not only jeopardize the ASEAN Security Community but also invite greater danger to the region.

Terrorists do not only target the U.S., but also its close allies.

In this regard, keeping a perfect distance with the dominant power is one way to minimize the possibility of being the target of terrorism. In the case of Singapore, having such an exclusive relationship with the U.S. in terms of defense cooperation is inviting danger.

Singapore, as a sovereign country, has the right to cooperate with any country in the world including the United States. This right also includes the right to invite foreign forces into its national territory. However, in terms of tackling non-traditional security threats, Singapore needs to work more closely with other countries in its own region.

A careful and wise approach has to be taken by Singapore and the other ASEAN member states on this matter. The issue of the U.S.-Singapore defense accord has the potential to trigger unnecessary tension among ASEAN member states.

It is best for Singapore to be open to countries in the region and describe the type and the content of the planned defense cooperation with the U.S.

The other ASEAN member states should also be careful and wise in dealing with this matter while clarifying Singapore's own intentions.

The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).